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Criminology—a discipline within sociology—and criminal justice represent unique but critically related approaches to understanding and addressing crime, including its victims and perpetrators. While criminologists endeavor to study the driving causes and potential consequences of criminal behavior, those who work in criminal justice leverage the resulting insight to detect and fight crime in action.

The online Master of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice program at Kent State University helps prepare you for the diverse career paths associated with the theoretical work of criminology; the practical work of criminal justice, including policing, corrections and victim advocacy; and the sector-crossing field of global security.

Your opportunity to serve and safeguard others starts here. Explore degree concentrations in Global Security, Policing and Victimology, and kickstart your career with Kent State.

CCJ Career Opportunities

102,300
Average annual law enforcement job openings through 20311

Earnings Outcomes in Criminology and Criminal Justice

Because there are numerous professions that fall within the diverse fields of criminology and criminal justice, there is also a broad range in associated earnings potential. Below are current median annual salaries for common criminal justice and criminologist jobs. Remember that your Kent State MA in Criminology and Criminal Justice could help you earn up to 16% more than professional peers with a bachelor’s degree only:2

$97,930
Security managers3
$92,910
Criminologists (Sociologists)4
$92,476
Security analysts5
$81,410
Financial examiners6
$83,640
Detectives and criminal investigators7
$66,020
Police and Detectives8

Criminal justice or criminology—which path is yours?

As the discipline that deals with the practical application of policy and research, criminal justice is associated most closely with law enforcement, court proceedings and criminal corrections. Professionals in this field may work as criminal investigators or federal agents, but they may also work in research and policy development, aiming to improve existing policing or corrections practices.

On the other hand, criminologist jobs are focused almost entirely on research and policy development, using social science methods to understand the causes and effects of crime and to design interventions. Leaders in the field are highly sought after in both the private sector and federal government agencies.

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Global Security Career Paths

Advance your public or private-sector global security career with core knowledge of intelligence, strategy and policy topics.

Online MA graduates who have concentrated in Global Security have gone on to pursue roles that include:

  • U.S. Border Patrol Agent
  • U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agent
  • Drug Enforcement Administration Agent
  • U.S. Marshal
  • Special Agent
  • Security Analyst
  • Policymaker

Global Security Overview

Police line tape across active crime scene including officers and lights

Victimology Career Paths

Become a force for restorative justice through a comprehensive study of crime victims, their treatment and their rights.

Our MA graduates who have concentrated in Victimology have gone on to pursue roles that include:

  • Criminal Profiler
  • Law Enforcement Agent
  • Crime Analyst
  • Victim Advocate
  • Criminal Investigator

Victimology Overview

Female police officer smiling next to squad car

Policing Career Paths

Formulate research-backed theoretical frameworks for managing policing organizations and responding to emerging issues.

Graduates of the online MA program who concentrated in Policing have been successful in the following careers:

  • Police Officer
  • Deputy Sheriff
  • State Trooper
  • Correctional Officer
  • Highway Patrol
  • Private Security

Policing Overview

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A Convenient Online Program

Designed for busy working professionals and students seeking to expand their career options.
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Sources
  1. Retrieved on May 9,2023, from bls.gov/emp/tables/emp-by-detailed-occupation.htm
  2. Retrieved on May 9,2023, from bls.gov/careeroutlook/2023/data-on-display/education-pays.htm
  3. Retrieved on May 9,2023, from onetonline.org/link/summary/11-3013.01
  4. Retrieved on May 9,2023, from bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/sociologists.htm
  5. Retrieved on May 9,2023, from indeed.com/career/security-analyst/salaries
  6. Retrieved on May 9,2023, from bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/financial-examiners.htm
  7. Retrieved on May 5, 2023, from bls.gov/ooh/protective-service/police-and-detectives.htm#tab-5
  8. Retrieved on May 5, 2023, from bls.gov/ooh/protective-service/police-and-detectives.htm